Optical disk driving apparatus

ABSTRACT

Herein disclosed is an optical disk driving apparatus for selectively driving a plurality of optical disks, comprising: a housing; and an optical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, the optical disk driving unit including: a turntable for selectively retaining the optical disks; a supporting member for rotatably supporting the turntable; a base plate pivotably retained by the housing; a plurality of vibration isolators for isolating the supporting member from outside vibrations by intervening between the supporting member and the base plate; a supporting member fixing mechanism for fixing the supporting member on the base plate by preventing the vibration isolators from isolating the supporting member from outside vibrations; a base plate driving mechanism for driving the base plate to pivotably move with respect to the housing; and a cam gear for transmitting a rotation torque to each of the supporting member fixing mechanism and the base plate driving mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an optical disk drivingapparatus, and more particularly to an optical disk driving apparatus tobe built in an automotive vehicle, and adapted to selectively drive aplurality of optical disks such as for example compact disks to movearound its central axis, and reproduce information from data recorded inthe optical disks.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Up until now, there have been provided a wide variety ofconventional optical disk driving apparatus of this type one typicalexample of which is shown in FIG. 28.

[0005] The conventional optical disk driving apparatus 900 is shown inFIG. 28 as comprising a box-shaped housing 910 to be built in anautomotive vehicle, and an optical disk driving unit accommodated in thebox-shaped housing 910. The box-shaped housing 910 includes a frontplate 911 having formed therein a loading slot, a rear plate 912, firstand second side plates 913 and 914, a top plate (not shown in FIG. 28),and a bottom plate 915. The front plate 911 is in parallel relationshipwith the rear plate 912. The first side plate 913 extends from the frontplate 911 to the rear plate 912, while the second side plate 914 extendsfrom the front plate 911 to the rear plate 912 under the state that thefirst side plate 913 is in parallel relationship with the second sideplate 914. The top plate extends from the front plate 911 to the rearplate 912, while the bottom plate 915 extends from the front plate 911to the rear plate 912 under the state that the top plate is in parallelrelationship with the bottom plate 915.

[0006] The optical disk driving unit includes first to third motors (notshown in FIG. 28) for respectively producing rotation torques, a shutterplate (not shown in FIG. 28) disposed in the vicinity of the loadingslot of the front plate 911 for the purpose of opening and shutting theloading slot of the front plate 911, a shutter plate driving mechanism(not shown in FIG. 28) for driving the shutter plate (not shown in FIG.28) to move with respect to the loading slot of the front plate 911, afirst cam gear (not shown in FIG. 28) for transmitting the rotationtorque produced by the first motor to the shutter plate drivingmechanism, and a loading roller 920 disposed in the vicinity of theloading slot of the front plate 911, and adapted to carry the opticaldisk in response to the rotation torque produced by the second motor.

[0007] The optical disk driving unit further includes a plurality oftrays (not shown in FIG. 28) which are disposed in layers at specificintervals in the box-shaped housing 910, a push lever (not shown in FIG.28) for pushing the optical disk 990 requested by the operator out ofthe trays, an optical disk guiding mechanism (not shown in FIG. 28) forguiding the optical disk 990 pushed by the push lever to the turntable940, and a second cam gear (not shown in FIG. 28) for transmitting therotation torque produced by the first motor to the optical disk guidingmechanism.

[0008] The optical disk driving unit further includes a base plate 310pivotably supported by the box-shaped housing 910, a base plate drivingmechanism (not shown in FIG. 28) for driving the base plate 310 topivotably move with respect to the box-shaped housing 910, and a thirdcam gear (not shown in FIG. 28) for transmitting the rotation torqueproduced by the first motor to the driving mechanism.

[0009] The optical disk driving unit further includes a turntable 940having a central axis, the turntable 940 being operative to have theoptical disk requested by the operator move around a central axisthereof under the state that the central axis of the optical diskrequested by the operator is aligned with the central axis thereof, asupporting member (not shown in FIG. 28) for rotatably supporting theturntable 940, and a plurality of vibration isolators (not shown) forisolating the supporting member 330 from outside vibrations byintervening between the supporting member 330 and the base plate 310.

[0010] The optical disk driving unit further includes a supportingmember fixing mechanism for fixing the supporting member to the baseplate without being isolated from the outside vibrations by thevibration isolators 321, 322, and 323, and a fourth cam gear (not shownin FIG. 28) for transmitting the rotation torque produced by the firstmotor to the supporting member fixing mechanism.

[0011] The optical disk driving apparatus thus constricted as previouslymentioned, however, encounters such a problem that the rotation torqueproduced by the first motor tends to be untimely transmitted to each ofthe shutter plate driving mechanism, the optical disk guiding mechanism,the base plate driving mechanism, and the supporting member fixingmechanism in response to the outside vibrations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to providean optical disk driving apparatus which can ensure that the rotationtorque produced by the first motor is timely transmitted to each of theshutter plate driving mechanism, the optical disk guiding mechanism, thebase plate driving mechanism, and the supporting member fixingmechanism.

[0013] According to the first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical disk driving apparatus, comprising: a housing; andan optical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, the opticaldisk driving unit including: a turntable for selectively retaining theoptical disks; a supporting member for rotatably supporting theturntable; a base plate pivotably retained by the housing; a pluralityof vibration isolators for isolating the supporting member from outsidevibrations by intervening between the supporting member and the baseplate; a supporting member fixing mechanism for fixing the supportingmember on the base plate by preventing the vibration isolators fromisolating the supporting member from outside vibrations; a base platedriving mechanism for driving the base plate to pivotably move withrespect to the housing; and a cam gear for transmitting a rotationtorque to each of the supporting member fixing mechanism and the baseplate driving mechanism.

[0014] According to the second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical disk driving apparatus, comprising: a housingincluding a front plate having a loading slot formed therein; and anoptical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, the optical diskdriving unit including: a shutter plate for shutting and opening theloading slot of the front plate; a shutter plate driving mechanism fordriving the shutter plate to shut and open the loading slot of the frontplate; a turntable for selectively retaining the optical disks; asupporting member for rotatably supporting the turntable; a base platepivotably retained by the housing; a plurality of trays for respectivelyaccommodating the optical disks; an optical disk guiding mechanism forguiding each of the optical disks to the turntable from the trays andvice versa; and a cam gear for transmitting a rotation torque to each ofthe shutter plate driving mechanism and the optical disk guidingmechanism.

[0015] According to the third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical disk driving apparatus, comprising: a housingincluding a front plate having a loading slot formed therein; and anoptical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, the optical diskdriving unit including: a shutter plate for shutting and opening theloading slot of the front plate; a shutter plate driving mechanism fordriving the shutter plate to shut and open the loading slot of the frontplate; a turntable for selectively retaining the optical disks; asupporting member for rotatably supporting the turntable; a base platepivotably retained by the housing; a plurality of trays disposed inlayers at specific intervals, and adapted to accommodate the opticaldisks respectively; an interval adjusting mechanism for adjusting eachof the intervals of the trays; an optical disk guiding mechanism forguiding each of the optical disks to the turntable from the trays andvice versa; and a cam gear for transmitting a rotation torque to each ofthe shutter plate driving mechanism, the optical disk guiding mechanism,and the interval adjusting mechanism.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical disk driving apparatus, comprising: a housingincluding a front plate having a loading slot formed therein; and anoptical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, the optical diskdriving unit including: a shutter plate for shutting and opening theloading slot of the front plate; a shutter plate driving mechanism (104)for driving the shutter plate to shut and open the loading slot of thefront plate; a turntable for selectively retaining the optical disks; asupporting member for rotatably supporting the turntable; a base platepivotably retained by the housing; a plurality of vibration isolatorsfor isolating the supporting member from outside vibrations byintervening between the supporting member and the base plate; asupporting member fixing mechanism for fixing the supporting member onthe base plate by preventing the vibration isolators from isolating thesupporting member from outside vibrations; a base plate drivingmechanism for driving the base plate to pivotably move with respect tothe housing; a plurality of trays for respectively accommodating theoptical disks; an interval adjusting mechanism for adjusting each of theintervals of the trays; an optical disk guiding mechanism for guidingeach of the optical disks to the turntable from the rays and vice versa;a first cam gear for transmitting a rotation torque to each of thesupporting member fixing mechanism and the base plate driving mechanism;a second cam gear for transmitting the rotation torque to each of theshutter plate driving mechanism and the optical disk guiding mechanism;and a transmission gear for transmitting the rotation torque to each ofthe first cam gear and the second cam gear.

[0017] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical disk driving apparatus, comprising: a housingincluding a front plate having a loading slot formed therein; and anoptical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, the optical diskdriving unit including: a shutter plate for shutting and opening theloading slot of the front plate; a shutter plate driving mechanism fordriving the shutter plate to shut and open the loading slot of the frontplate; a turntable for selectively retaining the optical disks; asupporting member for rotatably supporting the turntable; a base platepivotably retained by the housing; a plurality of vibration isolatorsfor isolating the supporting member from outside vibrations byintervening between the supporting member and the base plate; asupporting member fixing mechanism for fixing the supporting member onthe base plate by preventing the vibration isolators from isolating thesupporting member from outside vibrations; a base plate drivingmechanism for driving the base plate to pivotably move with respect tothe housing; a plurality of trays for respectively accommodating theoptical disks; an optical disk guiding mechanism for guiding each of theoptical disks to the turntable from the rays and vice versa; a first camgear for transmitting a rotation torque to each of the supporting memberfixing mechanism and the base plate driving mechanism; a second cam gearfor transmitting the rotation torque to each of the shutter platedriving mechanism, the optical disk guiding mechanism, and the intervaladjusting mechanism; and a transmission gear for transmitting therotation torque to each of the first cam gear and the second cam gear.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical disk driving apparatus, comprising: a housingincluding a front plate having a loading slot formed therein; and anoptical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, the optical diskdriving unit including: a turntable for selectively retaining theoptical disks; a supporting member for rotatably supporting theturntable; a base plate pivotably retained by the housing; a pluralityof trays for respectively accommodating the optical disks under thestate that the central axis of each of the optical disks are in parallelrelationship with one another; and a plurality of vibration isolatorseach having a central axis, and adapted to isolate the supporting memberfrom outside vibrations by intervening between the supporting member andthe base plate, the vibration isolators being disposed on the base plateunder the state that the central axis of each of the vibration isolatorsis in parallel relationship with central axis of each of the opticaldisks accommodated in the trays.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, thereis provided an optical disk driving apparatus, comprising: a housing;and an optical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, theoptical disk driving unit including: a turntable for selectivelyretaining the optical disks; a supporting member for rotatablysupporting the turntable; a base plate pivotably retained by thehousing, and adapted to assume first and second operational positions; abase plate driving mechanism for pivotally driving the base plate toassume each of the first and second operational positions and, the baseplate driving mechanism including an urging mechanism for urging thebase plate to the first operational position when the base plate assumesthe first operation position, and urging the base plate to the secondoperational position when the base plate assumes the second operationposition.

[0020] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical disk driving apparatus, comprising: a housing; andan optical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, the opticaldisk driving unit including: a turntable for selectively retaining theoptical disks; a supporting member for rotatably supporting theturntable; a base plate pivotably retained by the housing; a pluralityof vibration isolators for isolating the supporting member from outsidevibrations by intervening between the supporting member and the baseplate; and a supporting member fixing mechanism for fixing thesupporting member on the base plate by preventing the vibrationisolators from isolating the supporting member from outside vibrations,the supporting member fixing mechanism including a plurality of engagingmembers for engaging with each of the supporting member and the baseplate at operation timings which are different from one another, and inoperation directions which are different from one another.

[0021] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical disk driving apparatus, comprising: a housing; andan optical disk driving unit accommodated in the housing, the opticaldisk driving unit including: a plurality of trays for respectivelyaccommodating the optical disks; a first urging mechanism for urging thetrays to have the trays approach one another under the state that thetrays are disposed in layers at specific intervals; and a second urgingmechanism for urging the trays toward the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The features and advantages of an optical disk driving apparatusaccording to the present invention will be more clearly understood fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a top view of an optical disk driving unit forming partof the optical disk driving apparatus according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a top view of the optical disk driving unit forming partof the optical disk driving apparatus according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a fragmental side view of the optical disk driving unitforming part of the optical disk driving apparatus according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a top view of the optical disk driving unit forming partof the optical disk driving apparatus according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a side view of the cam gear forming part of the opticaldisk driving unit of the optical disk driving apparatus according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a side view of the cam gears forming part of the opticaldisk driving unit of the optical disk driving apparatus according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 7 is an expansional side view of the cam gears shown in FIG.6;

[0030]FIG. 8 is a side view of the cam gears forming part of the opticaldisk driving unit of the optical disk driving apparatus according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 9 is an expansional side view of the cam gears shown in FIG.8;

[0032]FIG. 10 is a top view of the optical disk driving unit shown inFIG. 1;

[0033]FIG. 11 is a top view of an optical pickup unit of the opticaldisk driving apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0034]FIG. 12 is a side view of the optical pickup unit of the opticaldisk driving apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0035]FIG. 13 is a top view of the optical pickup unit of the opticaldisk driving apparatus shown in FIG. 11;

[0036]FIG. 14 is a fragmentally enlarged side view of the optical diskdriving unit of the optical disk driving apparatus according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 15 is a top view of an arcuate-shaped slide plate and avicinity of the arcuate-shaped slide plate of the optical disk drivingunit of the optical disk driving apparatus according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 16 is a top view of an optical disk driving unit shown inFIG. 1;

[0039]FIG. 17 is a side view of a first optical disk guiding mechanismof the optical disk driving unit of the optical disk driving apparatusaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] FIGS. 18(a) to (d) are a front view of a first optical diskguiding mechanism of the optical disk driving unit of the optical diskdriving apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0041]FIG. 19 is a side view of the gear to be received by a diskstopper of the preferred embodiment of the optical disk drivingapparatus according to the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 20 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the opticaldisk driving apparatus according to the present invention;

[0043] FIGS. 21(a) to (d) are a front view of a second optical diskguiding mechanism of the optical disk driving apparatus according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0044]FIG. 22 is a fragmentally enlarged side view of a shutter platedriving mechanism of the optical disk driving apparatus according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0045]FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing an operation of thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430 the preferred embodiment of the opticaldisk driving apparatus according to the present invention;

[0046] FIGS. 24(a) to (f) are a side view of the trays of the opticaldisk driving apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0047]FIG. 25 is a side view of the trays of the optical disk drivingapparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 26 is a side view of the first optical disk guiding mechanismshown in FIG. 18(c);

[0049]FIG. 27 is a side view of the first optical disk guiding mechanismshown in FIG. 18(d); and

[0050]FIG. 28 is a top view of the conventional optical disk drivingapparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0051] The following description will be directed to the preferredembodiment of the optical disk driving apparatus according to thepresent invention.

[0052] The constitution of the preferred embodiment of the optical diskdriving apparatus according to the present invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 22.

[0053] The optical disk driving apparatus 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 22as including a box-shaped housing 110 and an optical disk driving unit101 accommodated in the box-shaped housing 110. The box-shaped housing110 includes a front plate 111 having formed therein a loading slot (notshown), a rear plate 112, first and second side plates 113 and 114, atop plate 115, and a bottom plate 116. The front plate 111 is inparallel relationship with the rear plate 112. The first side plate 113extends from the front plate 111 to the rear plate 112, while the secondside plate 114 extends from the front plate 111 to the rear plate 112under the state that the first side plate 113 is in parallelrelationship with the second side plate 114. The top plate 115 extendsfrom the front plate 111 to the rear plate 112, while the bottom plate116 extends from the front plate 111 to the rear plate 112 under thestate that the top plate 115 is in parallel relationship with the bottomplate 116.

[0054] The optical disk driving apparatus 100 further includes aplurality of trays 131 to 136 which are in parallel relationship withone another, and stacked with one another in the box-shaped housing 110,a first metal plate 141 to be provided between the top plate 115 and thetray 131, and a second metal plate 142 to be provided between the bottomplate 116 and the tray 136. The first metal plate 141 is in parallelrelationship with each of the trays 131 to 136, while the second metalplate 142 is in parallel relationship with each of the trays 131 to 136.Each of the trays 131 to 136 is semi-annular, or semi-circular in shape.The trays 131 to 136 have respectively formed therein projected rimportions 131 a to 136 a each defining a specific space receiving theoptical disk 800 inserted by the operator through the loading slot (notshown) of the front plate 111. The trays 131 to 136 are disposed inlayers in the box-shaped housing 110.

[0055] The optical disk driving apparatus 100 further includes threeguide shafts 151 to 153 each integrally formed with the box-shapedhousing 110, while central axes of the three guide shafts 151 to 153 arein parallel relationship with one another, and each extends in thedirection indicated by an arrow 110 a shown in FIG. 3. The first andsecond metal plates 141 and 142 each has formed therein three throughholes (not shown) which have the three guide shafts 151 to 153 receivedtherein respectively, while the trays 131 to 136 each has formed thereinthree through holes (not shown) which have the three guide shafts 151 to153 received therein respectively.

[0056] The optical disk driving apparatus 100 further includes anadjusting lever 160 pivotably supported by the box-shaped housing 110,and urged by a spring (not shown) in the direction indicated by an arrow160 a shown in FIG. 2. The adjusting lever 160 is adapted to have theoptical disk 800 inserted by the operator move in the direction oftoward the trays 131 to 136. The optical disk driving apparatus 100further includes a shaft 166 integrally formed with the box-shapedhousing 110, the shaft 166 having a central axis 161, a push lever 165pivotably supported by the shaft 166, and a driving mechanism (notshown) for driving the push lever 165 to have the push lever 165pivotably move around the shaft 166. The push lever 165 is operative topush the optical disk 800 accommodated in each of the trays 130 in thedirection of toward the turntable 350 by pivotably moving around thecentral axis 161 of the pivotal axis 166.

[0057] The optical disk driving apparatus 100 further includes a firstcoil spring 171 having one end portion fixed to the first metal plate141 and the other end portion fixed to the second metal plate 142, and asecond coil spring 172 having one end portion fixed to the top plate 115and the other end portion fixed to the second metal plate 142. The firstcoil spring 171 is operative to urge each of the metal plates 141 and142 to have the metal plates 141 and 142 approach each other. The secondcoil spring 172 is operative to urge each of the top plate 115 and thesecond metal plate 142 to have each of the top plate 115 and the secondmetal plate 142 approach each other.

[0058] The trays 131 to 136 each has projected portions 130 a to 130 ein a peripheral portion thereof. The optical disk driving apparatus 100,as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, further includes a cam gear 210 having threedifferent portions consisting of a shaft portion 213 rotatably supportedby the box-shaped housing 110, a spiral-shaped cam portion 211 held inengagement with the projected portion 130 a (see FIG. 4) of each of thetrays 131 to 136, and a gear portion 212 integrally formed with thespiral-shaped shaft portion 211 and axially aligned with the shaftportion 213.

[0059] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,further includes a cam gear 220 having three different portionsconsisting of a shaft portion 223 rotatably supported by the box-shapedhousing 110, a spiral-shaped cam portion 221 held in engagement with theprojected portion 130 b (see FIG. 4) of each of the trays 131 to 136,and a gear portion 222 integrally formed with the shaft portion 223 andaxially aligned with the shaft portion 223.

[0060] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,further includes a cam gear 230 having three different portionsconsisting of a shaft portion 233 rotatably supported by the box-shapedhousing 110, a spiral-shaped cam portion 231 held in engagement with theprojected portion 130 c (see FIG. 4) of each of the trays 131 to 136,and a gear portion 232 integrally formed with the shaft portion 233 andaxially aligned with the shaft portion 233.

[0061] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,further includes a cam gear 240 having three different portionsconsisting of a shaft portion 243 rotatably supported by the box-shapedhousing 110, a spiral-shaped cam portion 241 held in engagement with theprojected portion 130 d (see FIG. 4) of each of the trays 131 to 136,and a gear portion 242 integrally formed with the shaft portion 243 andaxially aligned with the shaft portion 243.

[0062] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,further includes a cam gear 250 having three different portionsincluding a shaft portion 253 rotatably supported by the box-shapedhousing 110, a spiral-shaped cam portion 251 held in engagement with theprojected portion 130 e (see FIG. 4) of each of the trays 131 to 136,and a gear portion 252 integrally formed with the shaft portion 253under the state that a central axis of the gear portion 252 is axiallyaligned with a central axis of the shaft portion 253.

[0063] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIG. 10, furtherincludes a first driving motor 260 having a driving shaft, a worm gear261 securely formed with the driving shaft of the first driving motor260, a gear 271 rotatably supported by the box-shaped housing 110 andmeshed with the worm gear 261, a gear 272 rotatably supported by thebox-shaped housing 110 and meshed with the gear 271, and a gear 273rotatably supported by the box-shaped housing 110 and meshed with thegear 272. The first driving motor 260 is operative to produce andtransmit a rotation torque to the cam gear 210 through the gears 271 to273, and to have the cam gear 210 rotatably move with respect to thebox-shaped housing 110.

[0064] The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes a gear 274rotatably supported by the box-shaped housing 110 and meshed with thegear 272, and a gear 275 rotatably supported by the box-shaped housing110 and meshed with the gear 274. The first driving motor 260 isoperative to produce and transmit a rotation torque to the cam gear 220through the gears 271, 272, 274, and 275, and to have the cam gear 220rotatably moved with respect to the box-shaped housing 110.

[0065] The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes a gear 276rotatably supported by the box-shaped housing 110 and meshed with theworm gear, a gear 277 rotatably supported by the box-shaped housing 110and meshed with the gear 276, and a gear 278 rotatably supported by thebox-shaped housing 110 and meshed with the gear 277. The first drivingmotor 260 is operative to produce and transmit a rotation torque to thecam gear 230 through the gears 276 to 278, and to have the cam gear 230rotatably moved with respect to the box-shaped housing 110.

[0066] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13,further includes a base plate 310 pivotably supported by the box-shapedhousing 110, a supporting member 330 for rotatably supporting theturntable 350, and a plurality of vibration isolators 321 to 323 eachsupported by the base plate 310. The vibration isolators 321 to 323 areadapted to isolate the supporting member 330 from outside vibrations byintervening between the supporting member 330 and the base plate 310.The base plate 310 the supporting member 330, and the vibrationisolators collectively constitute an optical pickup unit 300.

[0067] The supporting member 330 includes a light emitting device (notshown) for emitting a laser beam toward the optical disk 800 mounted onthe turntable 350, a light receiving device (not shown) for receiving alaser beam by way of the optical disk 800 mounted on the turntable 350,a second driving motor 360 for driving the turntable 350 to have theturntable 350 move around the central axis of the turntable 350. Theturntable 350 having cramp members 351, 352, and 353 for securelyretaining the optical disk 800 on the turntable. The cramp members 351,352, and 353 (see FIG. 11) partially constitute an optical disk crampmechanism.

[0068] The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes a slide plate370 having grooves 371 and 372, cam groove 373, a groove 374 receiving ashaft 313 integrally formed with the base plate 310, and a groove 375receiving a shaft (not shown) integrally formed with the base plate 310.The slide plate 370 is adapted to slidably move with respect to the baseplate 310 in the direction indicated by the arrows 370 a and 370 b whichis in parallel relationship with the arrow 340 a. The optical diskdriving unit 101 further includes a lever 380 pivotably supported by ashaft 312 integrally formed with the base plate 310. The lever 380 has ashaft 381 and a shaft 382 received by the groove 372 of the slide plate370. The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes a lever 390pivotably supported by a shaft 313 integrally formed with the base plate310. The lever 390 has a shaft 391 and a shaft 392 received by thegroove 373 of the slide plate 370.

[0069] The vibration isolators 321 to 323 are respectively disposed onthe base plate 310 under the state that a central axis of each of thevibration isolators 321 to 323 is in parallel relationship with acentral axis of the turntable 350.

[0070] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 16,further includes a third driving motor 410 supported by the first sideplate 113 (see FIG. 2), a gear 421 rotatably supported by the box-shapedhousing 110 and meshed with a worm gear securely formed with thederiving shaft of the third driving motor 410, a gear 422 rotatablysupported by the box-shaped housing 110 and meshed with the gear 421, agear 423 rotatably supported by the box-shaped housing 110 and meshedwith the gear 422, a gear 424 rotatably supported by the box-shapedhousing 110 and meshed with the gear 423, a gear 425 rotatably supportedby the box-shaped housing 110 and meshed with the gear 424, and anarcuate-shaped slide plate 430 having a toothed peripheral portion 430 cmeshed with the gear 425. The arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 has formedtherein two arcuate-shaped slots 430 a and 430 b each slidably receivinga guide pin. The third driving motor 410 is operative to produce andtransmit a rotation torque to the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 throughthe gears 421 to 425, and to have the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430swingably move with respect to the box-shaped housing 110. Thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430 functions as a transmission gear.

[0071] The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes a gear 442(see FIG. 15) rotatably supported by the box-shaped housing 110 andmeshed with the toothed peripheral portion 430 c of the arcuate-shapedslide plate 430, a lever 444 (see FIG. 15) pivotably supported by aplate (not shown) which is in parallel relationship with the bottomplate 116 forming part of the box-shaped housing 110. The gear 442 hasformed therein a cam groove 442 a slidably receiving the shaft 444 b.

[0072] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 18,further includes a first optical disk guiding mechanism 500 including abase plate 510 having formed therein first and second slots 512 and 513each extending in the direction indicated by the arrow 110 a shown inFIG. 15, and a cam plate 520 having formed therein first and secondloading slots 523 and 524 each extending in the direction indicated byarrows 520 a and 520 b shown in FIG. 15, having formed therein first andsecond cam slots 521 and 522.

[0073] The first optical disk guiding mechanism 500 further includes afirst shaft 531 slidably received by each of the first slot 512 of thebase plate 510 and the first cam groove 521 of the cam plate 520, asecond shaft 532 slidably received by the first slot 512 of the baseplate 510, a second retaining member 530 slidably retained by the baseplate 510 in the direction indicated by the arrow 110 a shown in FIG.17.

[0074] The first optical disk guiding mechanism 500 further includes afirst shaft 541 slidably received by the second slot 513 of the baseplate 510, a second shaft 542 slidably received by each of the secondslot 513 of the base plate 510 and the second cam groove 522 of the camplate 520, a second retaining member 540 sidably retained by the baseplate 510 in the direction indicated by the arrow 110 a shown in FIG.17.

[0075] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 16,further includes a gear 452 rotatably supported by a base plate (notshown) which is in parallel relationship with the bottom plate 116, andmeshed with the toothed peripheral portion 430 c of the arcuate-shapedslide plate 430, and a lever 454 pivotably supported by a base plate(not shown) which is in parallel relationship with the bottom plate 116,and integrally formed with each of a shaft 454 a slidably received bythe cam groove 452 a of the gear 452, and a shaft 454 b held inengagement with the base plate 310 The gear 452 functions as a first camgear.

[0076] The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes a wire spring455 for urging the base plate 310 through the lever 454 in the directionindicated by the arrow 310 a shown in FIG. 1 under the state that thebase plate 310 assumes a first position(see FIG. 16), and urging thebase plate 310 through the lever 454 in the opposite direction of thearrow 310 a shown in FIG. 1 under the state that the base plate 310assumes a second position (see FIG. 16). The wire spring 455 is in theform of U-shape. The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes anarm member 457 slidably supported by shafts 458 a and 458 b eachintegrally formed with a plate (not shown) which is in parallelrelationship with the bottom plate 116. The arm member 457 has a shaft457 a to be received by the cam groove 452 b of the gear 452, a groove457 b receiving the shaft 381 (see FIG. 13) of the lever 380 (see FIG.13), a groove 457 c receiving the shaft 458 a of the plate (not shown),and a groove 457 d receiving the shaft 458 b of the plate (not shown).

[0077] Here, the lever 454 and the wire spring 455 collectivelyconstitute a base plate driving mechanism 103 for driving the base plate310 to have the base plate 310 pivotably move with respect to thebox-shaped housing 110. The slide plate 370 (see FIG. 13), the lever 380(see FIG. 13), the lever 390 (see FIG. 13), and the arm member 457collectively constitute a supporting member fixing mechanism 102 forreleasing the supporting member 330 from being isolated from the outsidevibrations by the vibration isolators 321, 322, and 323 (see FIG. 11).

[0078] The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes a gear 462rotatably supported by a shaft 461 with respect to the bottom plate 116,and meshed with the toothed peripheral portion 430 c of thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430, a lever 454 pivotably supported by abase plate (not shown) which is in parallel relationship with the bottomplate 116. The lever 454 is integrally formed with a shaft 454 aslidably received by the cam groove 452 a of the gear 452, andintegrally formed with a shaft 454 b held in engagement with the opticaldisk cramp mechanism (not shown). The gear 462 functions as a third camgear.

[0079] The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes a gear 472rotatably supported by the bottom plate 116 by means of a shaft 471,meshed with the gear 462, and having a cam groove 472 a formed therein,and a lever 474 pivotably supported by the bottom plate 116 by means ofthe shaft 473, and integrally formed shafts 474 a and 474 b held inengagement with the cam groove 472 a of the gear 472. The optical diskdriving unit 101 further comprises a slide plate 475 slidably supportedby the bottom plate 116 by means of shafts 116 a and 116 b eachintegrally formed with the bottom plate 116. The slide plate 475 hasformed therein a slot 475 a slidably receiving the shaft 474 a formingpart of the lever 474. The slide plate 475 has a toothed peripheralportion 475 b meshed with the gear portion 242 forming part of the camgear 240, a toothed peripheral portion 475 c meshed with the gearportion 252 forming part of the cam gear 250, and a toothed peripheralportion 475 d meshed with a gear 550.

[0080] The lever 474, the slide plate 475, and the cam gears 240 and 250collectively constitute an interval adjusting mechanism 106 foradjusting each of the intervals of the trays 131 to 136 (see FIG. 2).The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, furthercomprises a gear 550 rotatably supported by the bottom plate 116 (seeFIG. 16) by means of a shaft 551. The gear 550 has two differentportions consisting of a gear portion 553 meshed with the toothedperipheral portion 475 d (see FIG. 16) of the slide plate 475 (see FIG.16), and a cam portion having a groove 552 formed therein.

[0081] The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes a first diskstopper 560 made in the form of a hollow shape, and a second diskstopper 115 a integrally formed with the top plate 115 of the box-shapedhousing 110. The first disk stopper 560 has a projected portion 561 tobe slidably received by the groove 552 of the gear 550, and a projectedportion 562 to be received by a bore (not shown) of the bottom plate116. The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16,further includes a cam member 481 rotatably supported by the box-shapedhousing 110 by means of a shaft 471, and a lever 473 pivotably supportedby a plate (not shown) which is in parallel relationship with the topplate 115 forming part of the box-shaped housing 110. The lever 473 hasa shaft 483 a and a shaft 483 b held in engagement with the cam groove481 a of the cam member 481.

[0082] The gear 472 and the cam member 481 collectively constitute asecond cam gear. The gear 472 may be integrally formed with the cammember 481. The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIG. 21,further includes a second optical disk guiding mechanism 600 including abase plate 610 integrally formed with the bottom plate 116 (see. FIG.3), and a cam plate 620 swingably supported by the base plate 610. Thecam plate 620 has formed therein a second slot 624 receiving the shaft483 a (see. FIG. 15) of the lever 473 (see. FIG. 15). The base plate 610is similar in shape to the base plate 510 (see. FIG. 18) forming part ofthe first optical disk guiding mechanism 500 (see. FIG. 18). The camplate 620 is similar in shape to the cam plate 520 (see. FIG. 18)forming part of the first optical disk guiding mechanism 500 (see. FIG.18).

[0083] The optical disk driving unit 101 further includes the secondoptical disk guiding mechanism 600 including a first retaining member630 supported by the base plate 610 and slidably moved in the directionindicated by arrows 110 a (shown in FIGS. 21a to 21 d ), and a secondretaining member 640 supported by the base plate 610 and slidably movedin the direction indicated by arrows 110 a (shown in FIGS. 21a to 21 d). The first retaining member 630 is similar in shape to the firstretaining member 530 (see. FIG. 18) forming part of the first opticaldisk guiding mechanism 500 (see. FIG. 18). The second retaining member640 is similar in shape to the second retaining member 540 (see. FIG.18) forming part of the first optical disk guiding mechanism 500 (see.FIG. 18).

[0084] The lever 483 (see FIG. 15) and the second optical disk guidingmechanism 600 collectively constitute an optical disk guiding mechanism105 for guiding each of the optical disks 800 to the turntable 350 (seeFIG. 1) from the trays 130 (see FIG. 2) and vice versa. The bottom plate116 has a projected portion 116 c. The optical disk driving unit 101, asshown in FIG. 22, further includes a lever 650 pivotably supported bythe projected portion of the bottom plate 116. and a roller 660pivotably supported by the lever 650.

[0085] Here, the lever 650 and the roller 660 collectively constitute ashutter plate driving mechanism 104 for driving a shutter plate (notshown) to shut and open the loading slot of the front plate 111.

[0086] The optical disk driving unit 101, as shown in FIG. 16, furtherincludes a plurality of switches 670, 680, 690, and 700 each held inengagement with the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430, an optical sensor(not shown) for detecting the optical disk 800 inserted by the operatorthrough the loading slot of the front plate 111. The optical diskdriving unit 101 further includes an operation unit (not shown) forproducing command signals, a control unit (not shown) for controllingeach of the first driving motor 260 (see FIG. 10), the second drivingmotor 360 (see FIG. 12), the third driving motor 410, and a drivingmotor (not shown) for driving a loading roller 120 (see FIG. 2) based oneach of results detected by the optical sensor (not shown) and theswitches 670, 680, 690, and 700 in response to the command signalsproduced by the operation unit.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 23, the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 isoperative to assume nine different operation states including a firstoperation state to transmit the rotation torque produced by the firstdriving motor 260 to the push lever 165, a second operation state totransmit the rotation torque produced by the first driving motor 260 tothe lever 650, a third operation state to transmit the rotation torqueproduced by the first driving motor 260 to the push lever 165, a fourthoperation state to transmit the rotation torque produced by the firstdriving motor 260 to each of the cam gear 240, the cam gear 250, thegear 550, the lever 444, and the lever 483, a fifth operation state totransmit the rotation torque produced by the first driving motor 260 tothe lever 454, a sixth operation state to transmit the rotation torqueproduced by the first driving motor 260 to the lever 444 and the lever483, a seventh operation state to transmit the rotation torque producedby the first driving motor 260 to the lever 464, a eighth operationstate to transmit the rotation torque produced by the first drivingmotor 260 to the lever 444 and the lever 483, a ninth operation state totransmit the rotation torque produced by the first driving motor 260 tothe arm member 457.

[0088] The operation of the preferred embodiment of the optical diskdriving apparatus 100 according to the present invention will be thendescribed hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 23 to 27 of the drawings.

[0089] The third operational position “T2” is firstly assumed by thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430. The loading slot of the front plate 111forming part of the box-shaped housing 110 is shut by the shutter plate(not shown) under the state that the third operational position “T2” isassumed by the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430. Each of the trays 131 to136 is standing by at initial tray positions under the state that thethird operational position “T2” is assumed by the arcuate-shaped slideplate 430.

[0090] The operation unit (not shown) is operated by the operator toproduce a command signal to have any one of the trays 131 to 136 receivethe optical disk inserted by the operator through the loading slot ofthe front plate 111 forming part of the box-shaped housing 110, whilethe first driving motor 260 is controlled by the control unit (notshown) to produce the rotation torque in response to the command signalproduced by the operation unit (not shown).

[0091] The rotation torque produced by the first driving motor 260 isthen transmitted to the cam gear 210 through the worm gear 261 and thegears 271 to 273, transmitted to the cam gear 220 through the worm gear261 and the gears 271, 272, 274, and 275, and transmitted to the camgear 230 through the worm gear 261 and the gears 276 to 278.

[0092] The cam gears 210, 220, and 230 are respectively moved around thecentral axes of the shafts 213, 223, and 233 in synchronization with oneanother, and in response to the rotation torque produced by the firstdriving motor 260, while each of the intervals of the trays 131 to 136is, as shown in FIGS. 24(a) to 24(f), partially and sequentiallyenlarged by the spiral-shaped cam portions 211, 221, and 231 formingpart of the cam gears 210, 220, and 230 in order shown in FIGS. 24(a) to24 (f) as each of the trays 131 to 136 are moved in the direction oftoward the bottom plate 116 forming part of the box-shaped housing 110.

[0093] The interval partially enlarged by the spiral-shaped cam portions221 and 231 forming part of the cam gears 220 and 230 exceeds theinterval partially enlarged by the spiral-shaped cam portion 211 formingpart of the cam gear 210 by reason that the inclination of each of thespiral-shaped cam portions 221 and 231 exceeds the inclination of thespiral-shaped cam portion 211.

[0094] When the tray accommodating the optical disk requested by theoperator is moved into the load and release position by the cam gears210, 220, and 230, the first driving motor 260 is controlled by thecontrol unit (not shown) to stop producing the rotation torque, on theother hand, the third driving motor 410 is controlled by the controlunit (not shown) to start to produce the rotation torque.

[0095] When the third driving motor 410 is controlled by the controlunit (not shown) to start to produce and transmit a rotation torque tothe arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 through the gears 421 to 425, thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is slidably moved in the directionindicated by the arrow 432 (shown in FIG. 1) in response to the rotationtorque produced by the third driving motor 410.

[0096] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is operated to move inthe direction indicated by the arrows 431 and 432 shown in FIG. 1, thegear 462 meshed with the toothed peripheral portion 430 c of thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved around the central axis of theshaft 462 in response to the rotation torque transmitted by thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430, and each of the gear 472 meshed with thegear 462 and the cam member 481 securely fitted into the gear 472 isrotatably moved around the central axis of the shaft 471 in response tothe rotation torque transmitted by the gear 462.

[0097] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is then moved in thedirection indicated by the arrow 431 shown in FIG. 1 through the thirdoperational position “T2” in response to the rotation torque produced bythe third driving motor 410, the roller 660 is received by the camgroove 481 b of the cam member 481. At the same time, the loading slotof the front plate 111 forming part of the box-shaped housing 110 isopened by the lever 650.

[0098] The judgment is then made by the control unit (not shown) onwhether or not the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is detected by each ofthe switches 670, 680, and 690. When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430is not detected by each of the switches 670 and 680, the judgment ismade as the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved into the secondoperation position “T1”. The third driving motor 410 is controlled bythe control unit (not shown) to stop producing the rotation torque basedon results judged by the control unit (not shown).

[0099] When the optical disk is inserted into the loading slot of thefront plate 111 forming part of the box-shaped housing 110 by theoperator, the optical disk is detected by the optical sensor (notshown). The loading roller 120 is then controlled by the control unit(not shown) in response to results detected by the optical sensor (notshown). The optical disk inserted by the operator is then moved by theloading roller 120 in the direction of toward the rear plate 112 formingpart of the box-shaped housing 110.

[0100] When the optical disk inserted by the operator is moved by theloading roller 120 in the direction of toward the rear plate 112 formingpart of the box-shaped housing 110, the optical disk inserted by theoperator is guided by the adjusting lever 160 (see FIG. 2), and loadedby the trays 131 to 136. The disk stoppers 560 and 115 a are thencontrolled by the control unit (not shown) to regulate the optical disks800 respectively loaded by the trays 131 to 136.

[0101] When the optical disk 800 inserted by the operator is loaded ontoany one of the trays 131 to 136, the driving motor (not shown) iscontrolled by the control unit (not shown) to stop producing therotation torque before the third driving motor 410 is controlled by thecontrol unit (not shown) to start to produce the rotation torque.

[0102] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is not detected by theswitch 690, the third driving motor 410 is controlled by the controlunit (not shown) to stop producing the rotation torque before the firstdriving motor 260 is controlled by the control unit (not shown) to startto produce the rotation torque. The trays 131 to 136 is then moved intothe load and release position in response to the rotation torqueproduced by the first driving motor 260.

[0103] When the operation unit (not shown) is operated by the operatorto produce a command signal to eject the optical disk requested by theoperator from the trays 131 to 136, first driving motor 260 iscontrolled by the control unit (not shown) to have the tray selected bythe operator from among the trays 131 to 136 move to the load andrelease position.

[0104] When the first driving motor 260 is controlled by the controlunit (not shown) to have the tray selected by the operator from amongthe trays 131 to 136 move into the load and release position, the firstdriving motor 260 is controlled by the control unit (not shown) to stopproducing the rotation torque before the third driving motor 410 iscontrolled by the control unit (not shown) to start to produce therotation torque.

[0105] While the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is slidably moved to thesecond operational position “T1” from the third operational position“T2” in response to the rotation torque produced by the third drivingmotor 410, the loading slot of the front plate 111 forming part of thebox-shaped housing 110 is opened by the lever 650

[0106] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is slidably moved in thedirection indicated by the arrow 432 (shown in FIG. 1) through thesecond operational position “T1” in response to the rotation torqueproduced by the third driving motor 410, the driving mechanism (notshown) is driven by the third driving motor 410 to have the push lever165 move around the central axis of the shaft 166, and release theoptical disk selected by the operator from the trays 131 to 136.

[0107] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is detected by each ofthe switches 670, 680, and 690, the judgment is made by the control unit(not shown) as the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 takes the firstoperational position “TO” in response to the rotation torque produced bythe third driving motor 410. The third driving motor 410 is thencontrolled by the control unit (not shown) to stop producing therotation torque. The optical disk 800 is then ejected by the push lever165 from one of the trays 131 to 136, and moved by the loading roller120 toward the front plate 111 forming part of the box-shaped housing110.

[0108] When the optical disk 800 conveyed by the loading roller 120takes a position just before the loading slot of the front plate 111forming part of the box-shaped housing 110, the optical disk 800 isdetected by the optical sensor (not shown).

[0109] When the optical disk 800 is then ejected from the box-shapedhousing 110 by the operator, the optical disk 800 is not detected by theoptical sensor (not shown). The third driving motor 410 is thencontrolled by the control unit (not shown) to produce the rotationtorque, while the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved to theposition “T2” in response to the rotation torque produced by the thirddriving motor 410. The loading slot of the front plate 111 forming partof the box-shaped housing 110 is then closed by the control unit (notshown) after the push lever 165 is moved back toward the initialposition.

[0110] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 takes the position “T2”,each of the tray 131 to 136 is moved to the initial position bycontrolling the first driving motor 260 to have the first driving motor260 produce the rotation torque.

[0111] When the command signal to reproduce music or image recorded byone of the optical disks 800 selected by the operator from among theoptical disks 800 accommodated by the trays 131 to 136 is produced bythe operation unit (not shown), the first driving motor 260 iscontrolled by the control unit (not shown) to have one of the trays 131to 136 which accommodates one of the optical disks 800 selected by theoperator move to the release position.

[0112] When, for example, the command signal to reproduce music or imagerecorded by the optical disk 800 accommodated by the tray 133 isproduced by the operation unit (not shown), the first driving motor 260is controlled by the control unit (not shown) to have the tray 133 moveto the release position.

[0113] After the first driving motor 260 is then controlled by thecontrol unit (not shown) to have the tray 133 move to the releaseposition, the first driving motor 260 is controlled by the control unit(not shown) to stop producing the rotation torque, and the third drivingmotor 410 is controlled by the control unit (not shown) to produce therotation torque.

[0114] When the third driving motor 410 is then controlled by thecontrol unit (not shown) to produce the rotation torque, thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved in the direction indicated bythe arrow 431 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torqueproduced by the third driving motor 410. The third driving motor 410 isthen controlled by the control unit (not shown) to have the push lever165 eject one of the optical disks 800 requested by the operator fromone of the trays 131 to 136, and to have each of the optical diskguiding mechanism 500 which assumes an operation state shown in FIG.18(a) and the optical disk guiding mechanism 600 which assumes anoperation state shown in FIG. 21(a) receive one of the optical disks 800ejected by the push lever 165.

[0115] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved in the directionindicated by the arrow 431 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotationtorque produced by the third driving motor 410, the lever 474 is movedaround the pivotal axis of the shaft 473 in response to the rotationtorque transmitted by the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 through thegear 472. When the lever 474 is moved around the pivotal axis of theshaft 473, the slide plate 475 is moved as the slide plate 475 isslidably supported by with the shafts 116 a and 116 b of the bottomplate 116.

[0116] When the slide plate 475 is then moved as the slide plate 475 isslidably supported by with the shafts 116 a and 116 b of the bottomplate 116, the cam gear 240 is moved round the central axis of the shaft243, the cam gear 250 is moved round the central axis of the shaft 253,and the gear 550 is moved around the central axis of the shaft 551.

[0117] When the cam gears 240 and 250 are respectively moved around therotation axes of the shafts 243 and 253, the trays 131 to 136 aresequentially moved toward the bottom plate 116 forming part of thebox-shaped housing 110 by the cam portions 241 and 251 forming part ofthe cam gears 240 and 250 (see FIG. 9).

[0118] Consequently, the intervals of the trays 131 to 136 aresequentially enlarged by the cam portions 241 and 251 forming part ofthe cam gears 240 and 250.

[0119] When, for example, the command signal to reproduce music orimages from the data stored in the optical disk 800 accommodated by thetray 134 is produced by the operation unit (not shown), the intervalbetween the tray 133 and the tray 134 is adjusted and enlarged by thecam gears 240 and 250.

[0120] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through thefifth operational position “T4” in the direction indicated by the arrow431 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced by thethird driving motor 410, the gear 452 meshed with the toothed peripheralportion 430 c of the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved around thecentral axis of the shaft 451. The lever 454 having the shaft 454 a tobe slidably received by the cam groove 452 a of the gear 452 is thenrotatably moved around the central axis of the shaft 453. The base plate310 held in engagement of the shaft 454 b of the lever 454 is then movedaround the central axis of the shaft 311, and against an urge force ofthe wire spring 455 to a position shown in FIG. 4 from a position shownin FIG. 2

[0121] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved from theposition “T5” in the direction indicated by the arrow 431 shown in FIG.1 in response to the rotation torque produced by the third driving motor410, the gear 442 meshed with the toothed peripheral portion 430 c ofthe arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved around the central axis ofthe shaft 471 in response to the rotation torque transmitted by thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430 through the gear 472, the lever 444 ismoved around the central axis of the shaft 443, the lever 483 having theshaft 483 b held in engagement with cam member 481 is moved around thepivotal axis of the shaft 483 b.

[0122] When the lever 144 is then moved around the central axis of theshaft 443, the cam plate 520 forming part of the first optical diskguiding mechanism 500 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow520 a shown in FIG. 15.

[0123] When the cam plate 520 forming part of the first optical diskguiding mechanism 500 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow520 a shown in FIG. 15, the first and second retaining members 530 and540 each slidably supported by the cam plate 510 are respectively movedfrom positions shown in FIG. 18(a) to positions shown in FIG. 18(b).When the optical disk 800 is securely retained by the first and secondretaining members 530 and 540, and moved to a position to be engagedwith the turn table 350, the first and second retaining members 530 and540 are respectively moved from positions shown in FIG. 18(b) topositions shown in FIG. 18(c).

[0124] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through theseventh operational position “T6” in the direction indicated by thearrow 431 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced bythe third driving motor 410, the lever 464 having the shaft 464 a heldin engagement with the cam groove 462 a of the gear 462 is moved aroundthe central axis of the shaft 463. The cramp members 351, 352, and 353(see FIG. 10) forming part of the optical pickup unit 300 (see FIG. 10)are then driven by the optical disk cramp mechanism (not shown) held inengagement with the shaft 464 b forming part of the lever 464.

[0125] When the optical disk requested by the operator is not mounted onthe turntable 350, the cramp members 351, 352, and 353 (see FIG. 10)forming part of the optical pickup unit 300 (see FIG. 10) areaccommodated in the turntable 350. When, on the other hand, the opticaldisk requested by the operator is mounted on the turntable 350, theoptical disk requested by the operator is securely cramped with respectto the turntable 350 by the cramp members 351, 352, and 353 (see FIG.10) forming part of the optical pickup unit 300 (see FIG. 10).

[0126] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through theeighth operational position “T7” in the direction indicated by the arrow431 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced by thethird driving motor 410, the cam plate 520 forming part of the firstoptical disk guiding mechanism 500 is moved in the direction indicatedby the arrow 520 a shown in FIG. 15 with respect to the base plate 610.At the same time, the cam plate 620 forming part of the second opticaldisk guiding mechanism 600 is moved in the direction indicated by thearrow 620 a shown in FIG. 15 with respect to the base plate 610. Thefirst retaining member 530 supported by the base plate 510 is movedtoward the bottom plate 116, while the second retaining member 540supported by the cam plate 520 is moved toward the top plate 115.

[0127] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through theninth operational position “T8” in the direction indicated by the arrow431 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced by thethird driving motor 410, the rotation torque is transmitted to the gear452 by the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430. The gear 452 is then movedaround the central axis of the shaft 451 in response to the rotationtorque transmitted by the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430. The arm 457having the shaft 457 a slidably received by the can groove 452 b of thegear 452 is then sidably moved in the direction indicated by the arrow457 e shown in FIG. 15 with respect to the base plate 610.

[0128] When the arm 457 is moved in the direction indicated by the flow457 c shown in FIG. 1, the lever 380 (see FIG. 13) having the shaft 381slidably received by the groove 457 b of the arm 457 is moved around thecentral axis of the shaft 312 integrally formed with the base plate 310in the direction indicated by the arrow 380 a shown in FIG. 13. Theslide plate 370 (see FIG. 13) having formed therein the groove 372slidably receiving the shaft 382 of the lever 380 is slidably moved inthe direction indicated by the arrow 370 a shown in FIG. 13 with respectto the base plate 310.

[0129] When the slide plate 370 is moved in the direction indicated bythe arrow 370 a shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the base plate 310under the state that the slide plate 370 is in parallel relationshipwith the base plate 310, the groove 371 of the slide plate 370 is movedto release from engagement with the groove of the supporting member 330.

[0130] When the slide plate 370 is further moved in the directionindicated by the arrow 370 a shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the baseplate 310, the lever 390 (see FIG. 13) having the shaft 392 slidablyrevived by the cam groove 373 of the slide plate 370 is moved around thecentral axis of the shaft 313 in the direction indicated by the arrow390 a shown in FIG. 13. The shaft 332 of the supporting member 330 isthen released from the groove 391 of the lever 390.

[0131] From the above detail description, it will be understood that thesupporting member 330 can be released from the outside vibrations whenthe data such as for example music and pictures stored by the opticaldisk mounted on the turntable 350 is reproduced by the optical diskdriving apparatus by reason that the supporting member 330 is supportedby the bass plate 310 through the vibration isolators 321, 322, and 323.

[0132] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is detected by the switch700, the judgment is made by the control unit (not shown) as thearcuate-shaped slide plate 430 assumes the tenth operational position“T9”. The third driving motor 410 is then controlled by the control unit(not shown) to stop producing the rotation torque before the drivingmotor 360 (see FIG. 14) is controlled by the control unit (not shown) toproduce the rotation torque, and to have the optical disk mounted on theturntable 350 move around the central axis of the turntable 350.

[0133] From the above detail description, it will be understood that theoptical disk mounted on the turntable 350 can be moved around thecentral axis of the turntable 350 in the interval between the diskstoppers 560 and 115 a forming part of the top plate 115 by reason thatthe interval between the disk stopper 560 and 115 a forming intervalbetween the disk stoppers 560 and 115 a forming part of the top plate115 under the third operational position “T2”

[0134] From the above detail description, it will be understood that theoptical disk mounted on the turntable 350 can be moved around thecentral axis of the turntable 350 in the interval between the first andsecond retaining members 530 and 540 each forming part of the firstoptical disk guiding mechanism 500 by reason that the first optical diskguiding mechanism 500 assumes an operation state shown in FIG. 18(d).

[0135] The laser beam is then produced and emitted toward the opticaldisk mounted on the turntable 350 through the object lens 341 by thelaser beam emitting device (not shown), while the laser beam reflectedby the optical disk is received by the laser beam receiving device (notshown) through the object lens 341, and the digital signal indicative ofthe information such as for example music and pictures is reproducedfrom the laser beam reflected by the optical disk.

[0136] From the above detail description, it will be understood that thedata such as for example music and pictures can be reproduced by theoptical disk driving apparatus by reason that the digital signal isproduced by the optical pickup unit 340 (see FIG. 11) forming part ofthe optical disk driving apparatus in response to the reflected laserbeam in association with the information stored by the optical disk.

[0137] When the lever 444 is operated to pivotably move around thepivotal axis 443, the cam plate 520 slidably supported by the base plate510 is moved in the direction indicated by arrows 520 a shown in FIG.15.

[0138] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through thetenth operational position “T9” in the direction indicated by the arrow432 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced by thethird driving motor 410, the lever 390 is moved around the central axisof the shaft 313 in the direction indicated by the arrow 390 b. Thegroove 391 of the lever 390 is then engaged with the groove 332 of thesupporting member 330 before the groove 371 of the slide plate 370 isengaged with the groove 331 of the supporting member 330.

[0139] From the above detail description, it will be understood that thecentral axis of the optical disk to be mounted on the turntable 350 canbe aligned with the central axis of the turntable 350 under the statethat the supporting member 330 is securely retained by the base plate310 without being isolated from the outside vibrations by the vibrationisolators 321, 322, and 323.

[0140] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through theninth operational position “T8” in the direction indicated by the arrow432 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced by thethird driving motor 410, the first optical disk guiding mechanism 500assumes an operation state shown in FIG. 18(c). At the same time, thesecond optical disk guiding mechanism 600 assumes an operation stateshown in FIG. 21(c) in synchronization with the first optical diskguiding mechanism 500.

[0141] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through theeighth operational position “T7” in the direction indicated by the arrow432 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced by thethird driving motor 410, the optical disk mounted on the turntable 350is released from the cramp members 351 to 353 (see FIG. 11) of theoptical pickup unit 300 (see FIG. 11). At the same time, the crampmembers 351 to 353 (see FIG. 11) as accommodated in the turntable 350.

[0142] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through theseventh operational position “T6” in the direction indicated by thearrow 432 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced bythe third driving motor 410, the first optical disk guiding mechanism500 assumes an operation state shown in FIG. 18(a). At the same time,the second optical disk guiding mechanism 600 assumes an operation stateshown in FIG. 21(a) in synchronization with the first optical diskguiding mechanism 500.

[0143] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through thesixth operational position “T5” in the direction indicated by the arrow432 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced by thethird driving motor 410, the optical pickup unit 300 is moved around thecentral axis of the shaft 311 as being urged by the wire spring 455, andassumes the second operational position shown in FIG. 4.

[0144] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through thefifth operational position “T4” in the direction indicated by the arrow432 shown in FIG. 1 in response to the rotation torque produced by thethird driving motor 410, the interval between the disk stoppers 560 andthe disk stopper 115 a forming part of the top plate 115 is decreased,and the trays is inclined by the cam gears 240 and 250.

[0145] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is moved through thefourth operational position “T3” in the direction indicated by the arrow432 shown in FIG. 1, the push lever 165 is moved around the central axisof the shaft 166 by the driving mechanism (not shown) in response to therotation torque produced by the third driving motor 410. The push lever165 then assumes the initial operational position.

[0146] When the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 is then not detected bythe switches 670 and 680, the judgment is made by the control unit (notshown) as the arcuate-shaped slide plate 430 assumes the thirdoperational position “T2”. The third driving motor 410 is thencontrolled by the control unit (not shown) to stop producing therotation torque.

[0147] When the third driving motor 410 is controlled by the controlunit (not shown) to stop producing the rotation torque, the loadingroller 120 is moved around its central axis by a loading roller drivingmechanism (not shown) in response to the rotation torque produced by thedriving motor (not shown). At the same time, the optical disk isconveyed by the loading roller 120 to the load and release position,while any one of the trays 131 to 136 receives the optical disk conveyedby the loading roller 120.

[0148] When the judgment is made by the control unit (not shown) as theoptical disk is received by any one of the trays 131 to 136, the drivingmotor (not shown) is controlled by the control unit (not shown) to stopproducing the rotation torque. The first driving motor 260 is thencontrolled by the control unit (not shown) to produce the rotationtorque, while each of the trays 131 to 136 assumes the tray initialposition in response to the rotation torque produced by the firstdriving motor 260.

[0149] As will be seen from the foregoing description, the optical diskdriving apparatus can ensure that the rotation torque produced by thefirst motor is timely transmitted to each of the shutter plate drivingmechanism 104, optical disk guiding mechanism 105, base plate drivingmechanism 103, and the supporting member fixing mechanism 102.

[0150] While the subject invention has been described with relation tothe preferred embodiment, various modifications and adaptations thereofwill now be apparent to those skilled in the art as far as suchmodifications and adaptations fall within the scope of the appendedclaims intended to be covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical disk driving apparatus for selectivelydriving a plurality of optical disks, comprising: a housing; and anoptical disk driving unit accommodated in said housing, said opticaldisk driving unit including: a turntable for selectively retaining saidoptical disks; a supporting member for rotatably supporting saidturntable; a base plate pivotably retained by said housing; a pluralityof vibration isolators for isolating said supporting member from outsidevibrations by intervening between said supporting member and said baseplate; a supporting member fixing mechanism for fixing said supportingmember on said base plate by preventing said vibration isolators fromisolating said supporting member from outside vibrations; a base platedriving mechanism for driving said base plate to pivotably move withrespect to said housing; and a cam gear for transmitting a rotationtorque to each of said supporting member fixing mechanism and said baseplate driving mechanism.
 2. An optical disk driving apparatus as setforth in claim 1, in which said optical disk driving unit furtherincluding: a plurality of trays for respectively accommodating saidoptical disks under the state that said central axis of each of saidoptical disks are in parallel relationship with one another; and inwhich said base plate is pivotally moved with respect to said housingunder the state that said central axis of said turntable issubstantially in perpendicular relationship with said central axis ofsaid optical disk inserted toward said trays through said loading slotof said front plate.
 3. An optical disk driving apparatus forselectively driving a plurality of optical disks, comprising: a housingincluding a front plate having a loading slot formed therein; and anoptical disk driving unit accommodated in said housing, said opticaldisk driving unit including: a shutter plate for shutting and openingsaid loading slot of said front plate; a shutter plate driving mechanismfor driving said shutter plate to shut and open said loading slot ofsaid front plate; a turntable for selectively retaining said opticaldisks; a supporting member for rotatably supporting said turntable; abase plate pivotably retained by said housing; a plurality of trays forrespectively accommodating said optical disks; an optical disk guidingmechanism for guiding each of said optical disks to said turntable fromsaid trays and vice versa; and a cam gear for transmitting a rotationtorque to each of said shutter plate driving mechanism and said opticaldisk guiding mechanism.
 4. An optical disk driving apparatus as setforth in claim 3, in which said base plate is pivotally moved withrespect to said housing under the state that said central axis of saidturntable is substantially in perpendicular relationship with saidcentral axis of said optical disk inserted toward said trays throughsaid loading slot of said front plate.
 5. An optical disk drivingapparatus for selectively driving a plurality of optical disks,comprising: a housing including a front plate having a loading slotformed therein; and an optical disk driving unit accommodated in saidhousing, said optical disk driving unit including: a shutter plate forshutting and opening said loading slot of said front plate; a shutterplate driving mechanism for driving said shutter plate to shut and opensaid loading slot of said front plate; a turntable for selectivelyretaining said optical disks; a supporting member for rotatablysupporting said turntable; a base plate pivotably retained by saidhousing; a plurality of trays disposed in layers at specific intervals,and adapted to accommodate said optical disks respectively; an intervaladjusting mechanism for adjusting each of said intervals of said trays;an optical disk guiding mechanism for guiding each of said optical disksto said turntable from said trays and vice versa; and a cam gear fortransmitting a rotation torque to each of said shutter plate drivingmechanism, said optical disk guiding mechanism, and said intervaladjusting mechanism.
 6. An optical disk driving apparatus as set forthin claim 5, in which said base plate is pivotally moved with respect tosaid housing under the state that said central axis of said turntable issubstantially in perpendicular relationship with said central axis ofsaid optical disk inserted toward said trays through said loading slotof said front plate.
 7. An optical disk driving apparatus forselectively driving a plurality of optical disks, comprising: a housingincluding a front plate having a loading slot formed therein; and anoptical disk driving unit accommodated in said housing, said opticaldisk driving unit including: a shutter plate for shutting and openingsaid loading slot of said front plate; a shutter plate driving mechanismfor driving said shutter plate to shut and open said loading slot ofsaid front plate; a turntable for selectively retaining said opticaldisks; a supporting member for rotatably supporting said turntable; abase plate pivotably retained by said housing; a plurality of vibrationisolators for isolating said supporting member from outside vibrationsby intervening between said supporting member and said base plate; asupporting member fixing mechanism for fixing said supporting member onsaid base plate by preventing said vibration isolators from isolatingsaid supporting member from outside vibrations; a base plate drivingmechanism for driving said base plate to pivotably move with respect tosaid housing; a plurality of trays for respectively accommodating saidoptical disks; an interval adjusting mechanism for adjusting each ofsaid intervals of said trays; an optical disk guiding mechanism forguiding each of said optical disks to said turntable from said rays andvice versa; a first cam gear for transmitting a rotation torque to eachof said supporting member fixing mechanism and said base plate drivingmechanism; a second cam gear for transmitting said rotation torque toeach of said shutter plate driving mechanism and said optical diskguiding mechanism; and a transmission gear for transmitting saidrotation torque to each of said first cam gear and said second cam gear.8. An optical disk driving apparatus as set forth in claim 7, in whichsaid turntable includes a plurality of cramp members for cramping saidoptical disk mounted on said turntable under the state that said centralaxis of said turntable is axially aligned with said central axis of saidoptical disk mounted on said turntable, said optical disk driving unitfurther includes a third cam gear for transmitting a rotation torque tosaid cramp member, and said transmission gear is operative to transmitsaid rotation torque to said third cam gear.
 9. An optical disk drivingapparatus as set forth in claim 8, in which said base plate is pivotallymoved with respect to said housing under the state that said centralaxis of said turntable is substantially in perpendicular relationshipwith said central axis of said optical disk inserted toward said traysthrough said loading slot of said front plate.
 10. An optical diskdriving apparatus for selectively driving a plurality of optical disks,comprising: a housing including a front plate having a loading slotformed therein; and an optical disk driving unit accommodated in saidhousing, said optical disk driving unit including: a shutter plate forshutting and opening said loading slot of said front plate; a shutterplate driving mechanism for driving said shutter plate to shut and opensaid loading slot of said front plate; a turntable for selectivelyretaining said optical disks; a supporting member for rotatablysupporting said turntable; a base plate pivotably retained by saidhousing; a plurality of vibration isolators for isolating saidsupporting member from outside vibrations by intervening between saidsupporting member and said base plate; a supporting member fixingmechanism for fixing said supporting member on said base plate bypreventing said vibration isolators from isolating said supportingmember from outside vibrations; a base plate driving mechanism fordriving said base plate to pivotably move with respect to said housing;a plurality of trays for respectively accommodating said optical disks;an optical disk guiding mechanism for guiding each of said optical disksto said turntable from said rays and vice versa; a first cam gear fortransmitting a rotation torque to each of said supporting member fixingmechanism and said base plate driving mechanism; a second cam gear fortransmitting said rotation torque to each of said shutter plate drivingmechanism, said optical disk guiding mechanism, and said intervaladjusting mechanism; and a transmission gear for transmitting saidrotation torque to each of said first cam gear and said second cam gear.11. An optical disk driving apparatus as set forth in claim 10, in whichsaid turntable includes a plurality of cramp members for cramping saidoptical disk mounted on said turntable under the state that said centralaxis of said turntable is axially aligned with said central axis of saidoptical disk mounted on said turntable, said optical disk driving unitfurther includes a third cam gear for transmitting a rotation torque tosaid cramp member, and said transmission gear is operative to transmitsaid rotation torque to said third cam gear.
 12. An optical disk drivingapparatus as set forth in claim 11, in which said base plate ispivotally moved with respect to said housing under the state that saidcentral axis of said turntable is substantially in perpendicularrelationship with said central axis of said optical disk inserted towardsaid trays through said loading slot of said front plate.
 13. An opticaldisk driving apparatus for selectively driving a plurality of opticaldisks each having a central axis, comprising: a housing including afront plate having a loading slot formed therein; and an optical diskdriving unit accommodated in said housing, said optical disk drivingunit including: a turntable for selectively retaining said opticaldisks; a supporting member for rotatably supporting said turntable; abase plate pivotably retained by said housing; a plurality of trays forrespectively accommodating said optical disks under the state that saidcentral axis of each of said optical disks are in parallel relationshipwith one another; and a plurality of vibration isolators each having acentral axis, and adapted to isolate said supporting member from outsidevibrations by intervening between said supporting member and said baseplate, said vibration isolators being disposed on said base plate underthe state that said central axis of each of said vibration isolators isin parallel relationship with central axis of each of said optical disksaccommodated in said trays.
 14. An optical disk driving apparatus as setforth in claim 13, in which said base plate is pivotally moved withrespect to said housing under the state that said central axis of saidturntable is substantially in perpendicular relationship with saidcentral axis of said optical disk inserted toward said trays throughsaid loading slot of said front plate.
 15. An optical disk drivingapparatus for selectively driving a plurality of optical disks,comprising: a housing; and an optical disk driving unit accommodated insaid housing, said optical disk driving unit including: a turntable forselectively retaining said optical disks; a supporting member forrotatably supporting said turntable; a base plate pivotably retained bysaid housing, and adapted to assume first and second operationalpositions; a base plate driving mechanism for pivotally driving saidbase plate to assume each of said first and second operational positionsand, said base plate driving mechanism including an urging mechanism forurging said base plate to said first operational position when said baseplate assumes said first operation position, and urging said base plateto said second operational position when said base plate assumes saidsecond operation position.
 16. An optical disk driving apparatus as setforth in claim 15, in which said optical disk driving unit furtherincluding: a plurality of trays for respectively accommodating saidoptical disks under the state that said central axis of each of saidoptical disks are in parallel relationship with one another; and inwhich said base plate is pivotally moved with respect to said housingunder the state that said central axis of said turntable issubstantially in perpendicular relationship with said central axis ofsaid optical disk inserted toward said trays through said loading slotof said front plate.
 17. An optical disk driving apparatus forselectively driving a plurality of optical disks, comprising: a housing;and an optical disk driving unit accommodated in said housing, saidoptical disk driving unit including: a turntable for selectivelyretaining said optical disks; a supporting member for rotatablysupporting said turntable; a base plate pivotably retained by saidhousing; a plurality of vibration isolators for isolating saidsupporting member from outside vibrations by intervening between saidsupporting member and said base plate; and a supporting member fixingmechanism for fixing said supporting member on said base plate bypreventing said vibration isolators from isolating said supportingmember from outside vibrations, said supporting member fixing mechanismincluding a plurality of engaging members for engaging with each of saidsupporting member and said base plate at operation timings which aredifferent from one another, and in operation directions which aredifferent from one another.
 18. An optical disk driving apparatus as setforth in claim 17, in which said optical disk driving unit furtherincluding: a plurality of trays for respectively accommodating saidoptical disks under the state that said central axis of each of saidoptical disks are in parallel relationship with one another; and inwhich said base plate is pivotally moved with respect to said housingunder the state that said central axis of said turntable issubstantially in perpendicular relationship with said central axis ofsaid optical disk inserted toward said trays through said loading slotof said front plate.
 19. An optical disk driving apparatus forselectively driving a plurality of optical disks, comprising: a housing;and an optical disk driving unit accommodated in said housing, saidoptical disk driving unit including: a plurality of trays forrespectively accommodating said optical disks; a first urging mechanismfor urging said trays to have said trays approach one another under thestate that said trays are disposed in layers at specific intervals; anda second urging mechanism for urging said trays toward said housing. 20.An optical disk driving apparatus as set forth in claim 19, in whichsaid optical disk driving unit further including: a turntable forselectively retaining said optical disks, said turntable having acentral axis; a supporting member for rotatably supporting saidturntable; a base plate pivotably retained by said housing, and a baseplate driving mechanism for driving said base plate to pivotally movewith respect to said housing, and in which said base plate is pivotallymoved with respect to said housing under the state that said centralaxis of said turntable is substantially in perpendicular relationshipwith said central axis of said optical disk inserted toward said traysthrough said loading slot of said front plate.